February 28, 2018
The East Texas Baptist University Theatre Arts Department performed Bruce Graham's Moon over the Brewery on Thursday, February 22 through Sunday, February 25. The play, directed by ETBU Costume Designer Samantha Pettigrew, is a coming-of-age story focusing on thirteen-year-old Amanda Waslyk as she adjusts to her single mother's search for companionship.
"There is something about this play that unites audiences across generational lines," Pettigrew shared. "The universal struggles, such as loneliness and absence, told through the interactions of these ordinary individuals allows viewers to connect with the themes presented in the production. Like the characters, we all have to decide how to face pain - whether to grieve, dismiss, or channel it into something positive like helping others."
In order to cope with the absence of a father figure, Amanda has created an imaginary friend, Randolph. Miriam, Amanda's mother, seeks to satisfy her loneliness by befriending Warren, the postman. Each character attempts to fill the void in their life and their tactics are often at odds with one another. Amidst their internal emotional hardship, these three seemingly incompatible personalities discover how to grow together and become family.
"One of the most rewarding parts about being involved in the show as Amanda Waslyk is playing a younger version of myself on stage," ETBU sophomore Theatre Education major Emory Lambert said. "My character is odd, a loner, has an old soul, and reads a lot-all traits I relate to."
The play was complemented by lighting and sound cues, intentionally orchestrated by Technical Director, Assistant Technical Director, Master Electrician, and Sound Crew. The design choices served to connect and transition the scenes as well as contribute to the effort of eliciting the intended emotional responses from viewers.
"In addition to my role as Warren Zimmerman, I served as the Technical Director for the play," senior Chris McKeithen commented. "The technical aspects of a production are integral in telling any story. The different lights used by our team and the angles they were placed at helped bring focus to certain areas and create a particular mood in order to bring the story to life."
The 2017-2018 ETBU Theatre season will conclude with a production of Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen on Thursday, April 26 through Sunday, April 29 in the Black Box Theatre of the Jenna Guest Music Building. To attend a show or learn more about the ETBU Theatre Department, visit www.etbu.edu/theatre.